Newham Council is supporting the 16 Days of Activism campaign, raising awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence and highlighting free support available to residents across the borough.
Newham Council is challenging domestic abuse as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign, led by the United Nations. The movement is aimed at increasing awareness of abuse against women and girls. Events are taking place across Newham from Monday 25 November, which is the International Day of Violence Against Women and Girls, through to Human Rights Day on Tuesday 10 December. The local authority, alongside partners, including the London Stadium and Excel London, are aiming to raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence support services which are available at various locations in Newham
Additionally, awareness-raising sessions will be held by ‘The Unshame Newham’ sexual violence campaign, a collaborative project between East London NHS Foundation Trust, the London Borough of Newham, GALOP and Hestia. The local authority’s commissioned domestic abuse service provider, Hestia, will also be holding several drop-in sessions in the borough, throughout the 16 Days of Activism period. Residents will be able to access free advice and support at several locations, including East Ham Library; Shipman Youth Zone and Newham University Hospital. The Council and its partners also offers safe and confidential advice and guidance at all times of the year.
In a joint statement, Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment; Councillor Lakmini Shah, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Communities and Councillor Imam Haque, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Deputy Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Communities, said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe and we want to ensure women and girls in our borough know there is plenty of support available, should they ever face abuse.
“We are proud we are supporting the global 16 Days of Activism campaign in Newham. It’s a reminder that we need to unite to end abuse and protect survivors. Often, abuse takes place behind closed doors and those affected can feel trapped. It’s up to all of us to speak up and show support. We will listen to survivors, we will believe survivors and we will take action to offer survivors support.
“We would encourage everyone in Newham to attend the events and to spread the word to anyone you feel may be affected. We would also like to thank our partners who have worked tirelessly to hold the awareness stalls and sessions, aimed at making a difference in our community.”
This year’s theme is ‘ensure justice, protect survivors, end impunity’. Newham Council recognises the need for survivors to have access to a range of safe ways to report domestic abuse. The local authority works with a number of partners to ensure that emotional and practical support is provided to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
All residents aged 16+ can access face-to-face support at different venues across the borough from 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. No appointment is required, you can simply drop in.
You can view the full calendar of events here
You can find further information about Hestia’s services and locations here.
You can also call Hestia on: 0808 196 1482; or email: InfoNewhamDSV
